The tick usually must be attached to your skin for at least 24-48 hours for the bacteria to get into your bloodstream. To ensure quick removal of any attached ticks you should:

Do frequent tick checks, including a naked, full body exam when returning from the outdoors. Remember that very young (“larval” or “nymph”) ticks can be very small; some not much bigger than a sesame seed.

If you find any ticks, do the following:

With fine-point tweezers, grab the tick at the place where it is attached, next to the skin.

Gently pull the tick straight out.

Save the tick in a small vial and mark the date.

Wash your hands and clean the tweezers with alcohol.

Report the bite to your doctor.

Watch carefully for any signs of Lyme disease, especially a rash at the site of the bite and/or fever; symptoms usually appear within 30 days of the bite.

Doctors vary in their recommendations concerning taking preventive antibiotics following a tick bite. Antibiotic treatment given within 72 hours of a tick bite has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of developing Lyme disease. Treatment is indicated in locations where 20% or more of ticks are known to carry the Lyme bacteria. If bitten by a tick, you should check with your doctor to see if taking an antibiotic is appropriate for you.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

A history of Lyme disease, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/lymeDisease/Pages/history.aspx.
Updated March 29, 2011. Accessed September 26, 2012.